Common target return to top three

Little Common’s footballers have the chance to move back into the league’s top three tonight (Tuesday).

The Commoners will make the short journey to Langney Wanderers knowing that a draw or better will lift them back above Mile Oak in Macron Store Southern Combination Football League Division One.

Common are seven places above Langney in the league and hammered them 7-1 in last month’s reverse fixture, which Langney ended with nine men.

Langney did knock Common out of two cup competitions earlier in the season, though, and are nothing if not entertaining as their 28 league games so far this term have yielded 158 goals.

Kick-off at The Oval tonight is 7.45pm.

Common saw any lingering title hopes all but end following a 1-0 defeat away to Mile Oak on Saturday.

They failed to score in a league fixture for only the second time this season after missing a second half penalty.

The Commoners were without striker Jamie Crone so Wes Tate moved forward to play alongside Lewis Hole, with Jared Lusted and Adam Smith returning to the starting line-up.

On a pitch not really conducive for playing football, both teams struggled to string any passes together in a pretty even opening quarter.

Common goalkeeper Matt Cruttwell palmed away a cross-cum-shot. A nasty bobble then caused him to miskick a clearance straight to a home striker, but Cruttwell recovered well to save at the feet of Michael Gould as he attempted to round him.

Neither goalkeeper was really called into action for the remainder of the first half and play switched from end to end during an even start to the second period.

Hole nearly capitalised on a mistake from the home goalkeeper, but was foiled as he attempted to round him. Hole then had a first time effort well saved.

Oak grabbed the winner in the 63rd minute. A shot from a harshly awarded free kick on the edge of the Common area rebounded off the post and Gould tapped in from two yards.

Common went on to enjoy their best spell of the match as they put the home defence under immense pressure. They came close to equalising in the 70th minute, but Russell Eldridge’s free kick was well saved.

The Commoners had a glorious opportunity to level with five minutes remaining when Hole was tripped in the box, but Tate saw his penalty saved and cleared to safety.